Natural Energy Plan Gets Public Backing

A breakthrough natural energy project launched by Spirit of Ireland last month has received an "overwhelming" response from the public.

Spirit of Ireland said the ambitious project also received "very positive support" and advice from the Government and senior members of the opposition parties.

The Trinity-sponsored project published its plan last month, detailing how to make Ireland energy independent within five years and exporting energy in a decade, with returns topping tens of billions.

According to a Spirit of Ireland spokesman, the solution to the economic crisis lies in harnessing Ireland's huge wind energy potential.

The project projects energy independence for Ireland within five years, reducing the cost of power by €10 billion. Energy exports over the next ten years are subsequently hoped to raise over €50billion in the next 10 years.

The proposal was put together over the past six months with a team of top engineers, academics, architects, geologists, hydro-geologists and other experts working intensively on the project lead by Professor Igor Shvets of Trinity College.

Using natural coastal valleys to provide hydro storage reservoirs, the plan uses wind farms to pump seawater into the reservoirs before being passed through turbines generating massive amounts of power.

(DW/JM)